be obtained, and in less than three hours were
at the King's Arms, Chatham. I asked to be shown into a room, into
which I led Mrs St. Felix, trembling like an aspen leaf. I seated her
on the sofa, and then asked to be shown in to Sir James O'Connor.

"She is here, sir," said I.

"Where?"

"Follow me, Sir James."

I opened the door of the room, and closed it upon them.

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.

MY SISTER VIRGINIA IS AT LAST PLACED IN A SITUATION WHICH IS
SATISFACTORY TO MY MOTHER AS WELL AS TO HERSELF.

I remained very quietly in the coffee-room of the hotel, in case I
should be sent for; which I presumed I should be before the day was
over. In the afternoon a waiter came to say that Sir James O'Connor
wished to speak to me, and I was ushered into his room, where I found
Mrs St. Felix on the sofa.

As soon as the door was closed, Sir James took me by the hand, and led
me up, saying, "Allow me to introduce your old friend as Lady O'Connor."

"My dear Tom," said she, taking me by the hand, "I am and ever shall be
Mrs St. Felix with you. Come, now, and sit down. You will again have
to take charge of me, for I am to return to Greenwich, and--leave it in
a respectable manner. I daresay they have already reported that I have
run away from my creditors. Sir James thinks I must go back as if
nothing had happened, give out that I had some property left me by a
relation, and then settle everything, and sell the goodwill of my shop.
It certainly will be better than to give grounds for the surmises and
reports which may take place at my sudden disappearance,--not that I am
very likely to fall in with my old acquaintances at Greenwich."

"Don't you think so, Tom?--for Tom I must call you, in earnest of our
future friendship," said Sir James.

"I do think it will be the best plan, sir."

"Well, then, you must convey her ladyship to Greenwich again this
evening, and to-morrow the report must be spread, and the next day you
will be able to re-escort her here. I hope you feel the compliment that
I pay you in trusting you with my new-found treasure. Now let us sit
down to dinner. Pray don't look at your dress, Tom; at all events, it's
quite as respectable as her ladyship's."

After dinner a chaise was ordered, and Lady O'Connor and I returned to
Greenwich, arriving there after dark. We walked down to her house: I
then left her, and hastened to my mother's.

"Well, mother," said I, after the first salutations w